Sep 03, 2013

What was the Great Divergence?

"A FEW centuries ago it would have been difficult to tell Europe apart
from the rest of the world—in economic terms, at least. Indeed, half a
millenium ago Europe might justly have been considered a laggard. The
three inventions which, in the words of Karl Marx, “ushered in bourgeois
society” were not invented in Europe. Gunpowder, the compass and the
printing press were probably all invented in China.

But by the
19th century, things were rather different. Western Europe and parts of
North America had become fabulously wealthy. Almost everywhere else was
horribly poor. Economic historians refer to this as the “Great
Divergence”. ..."

I'll add that failure to seriously wrestle with what is going on here and incorporating that into theological implications for work, addressing poverty, and general ethics, is one of the biggest reasons the church finds itself unable to address current issues in constructive ways. Ideologies of Western supremacy or Western exploitation as the driving features are insufficient.